Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
Series: The Phoenix Pack #4
Published by Montlake Romance
Published on: April 7, 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Werewolves
Pages: 322
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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It happens whenever wolf shifter Roni Axton is near Marcus Fuller: a crackle of sexual awareness that’s intoxicating…and deeply annoying. Marcus is a pack enforcer who oozes power, but Roni is lethal in her own right—nothing like the flirty females who flock around him. Even still, his possessive gaze makes one thing clear. Marcus has singled her out for seduction, and he wants to make her sit up and beg.
No matter how aloof and unfazed Roni acts, Marcus can tell she wants him. When a brutal attack by a jackal pack forces them to work together, it’s the perfect opportunity for Marcus to chip away at her defenses—until he falls into his own trap, completely unprepared for the intensity of their connection. Roni is the only one who’s ever seen past his shifter charm and discovered the man hiding beneath it. And for Marcus, claiming Roni once will mean needing her forever.
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Recently I read and reviewed Feral Sins by this author, in order to understand this book. I really enjoyed it, and it really did help me while reading Dark Instincts. This is book four, and I haven’t read book two or three yet. I didn’t feel lost while reading this book though, although when I first tried to read it before reading Feral Sins, I was completely lost.
Roni is an enforcer for the Mercury Pack. Her brother is Nick, the alpha of that pack. She’s a tomboy, but still very pretty in her own ungirly way. Marcus is an enforcer for the Phoenix pack. He’s a womanizer, but is completely smitten with Roni when this book starts. She just tries to ignore him, mostly due to his reputation, and because she’s a bit of a loner. Marcus isn’t having any of that, and doesn’t let up on flirting with her.
The story begins with Roni hanging upside down in a car that has wrecked. And oh yes, there are jackals trying to kidnap the baby belonging to the Alpha of the Phoenix pack, Trey,and his mate Taryn. Not a spoiler since this is how it really begins. So it was a really exciting start to this installment, and it continued to be pretty exciting throughout the read. Action packed with danger around every corner describes a lot of this book. Add plenty of ultra hot sexual scenes, with a hefty dose of humor, and you have this story.
Roni, as a heroine pack enforcer was pretty perfect. She keeps to herself, and is not exactly the friendly sort. Marcus is just the opposite, he is super charming, extremely handsome and very sexually uninhibited. As in, anything goes. Since Roni is such a loner, it was sweet to see her taking down her walls to let Marcus in. Characters from the previous books are back as well. One of the best parts of this series for me is Taryn’s sarcastic mouth, and the barbs she trades with Trey’s crotchety grandmother, Greta. Dominic and his constant flirty one liners also are a fun part of the two books I have read. Members of both the Phoenix and Mercury Packs, fill out the rest of the characters. This time around there is a new enemy, one with a horrendous pastime-to say the least.
The premise of a group of jackals filming people or shifters that have been kidnapped, being tortured, raped and even killed was pretty scary/sad to say the least. Since Roni has a back story that this touches on, it brought this all too close to home for Roni and her pack, and puts them into the path of these horrible creatures.
I enjoyed the story, the characters and the romance. As with Feral Sins, I had to look past the fact that I am not an erotica fan. In this world building, it would seem that all of the wolves are highly sexual beings, and nothing is off limits. And in Marcus’s case, that goes double. Needless to say, this is a very adult read, and I would recommend it to paranormal romance readers.
  Lorna’s Review |
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I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Lorna, you have me really excited to read this series! The characters seem well fleshed out – they have such personalities. And the world building sounds well done, too. Plus, I like a story that will keep me tense with all its action and Dark Instincts seems to deliver that as well. I’m glad you picked up this series. 🙂 Hopefully I can dive into it soon. Wonderful review!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Character Interview ~ Éire’s Devil King ~ Sandi Layne
Thank you Brandee! The characters really are full of personality! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
He he, I’m reading it so I merely skimmed your review, but I’m glad you loved it ! As much as I adored Feral sins and really liked Wicked cravings, Carnal secrets was meh, so I was wary about that one 🙂
Red Iza recently posted…Review / Suzanne Wright : Carnal secrets
I have heard a lot of bad things about the third book so I am thinking I will skip that one. I have heard a lot of people say this one was so much better than that one, so hopefully you will enjoy 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
I keep coming back to this series on audio, the narrator is very good. Yes this series is very adult. I can’t wait to see who gets a HEA next.
Jennifer recently posted…Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
I’d like to see Dominic lose his cool with someone! I love his cheesy remarks, but I think it would be fun seeing him fall in love for sure 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
YES! or Towel ( lol I know that’s not how it’s spelled but with audio I don’t know the correct spelling and that’s how it sounds.) would be a great one to read/listen to as well.
Yes, Tao would be a good one too-I had to look his name up 🙂 Actually Dominic would probably be last because she might want to keep up his cheesy remarks as long as possible thru the other books.
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
Good to know the first book is a must and glad you didn’t have to read two and three before diving into this one.
Great review!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Book Review: Zombie-Saurus Rex by Mark Souza
Yes, at the beginning of this book there were so many characters talking at once, I was confused-but since it was right after an accident, of course it was going to be kinda crazy. Reading Feral Sins really helped me with all the background and who was who 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
Thanks for the review Lorna, this series sure sounds good.
Aurian recently posted…Nancy Warren – Kate – The Almost Brides Club – Read for #LLC2015
You’re welcome! It is a fun series 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
I’m not much of an erotica fan either, but that’s good you’re enjoying the storyline/plot overall.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Yes, in this case I would lose out on reading a good series if I couldn’t look beyond the erotica. So I decided to let it go 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
Well, kick-ass is never wrong in my back 🙂
blodeuedd recently posted…The royal we – Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Mine either!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
Glad it worked out that you were able to jump in with this story. Ronnie sounds like a great heroine. I’ll have to keep this series in mind.
Sophia Rose recently posted…The Protector by Marliss Melton, narrator David Brenin #AudioReview
It really was a good read 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
Dominic and Greta are two of my favorite characters in this series (though I would probably hate Greta in real life). I love how Roni manipulates Greta and wraps the old woman around her finger.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: April 12-18th Speculative Fiction Releases
Yes I don’t think I would like Greta in real life either and I agree, I love how Roni gets Greta to love her!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
Oh I so need to read this one. I really enjoyed all the books in the series and I have this one to read now but I missed it on NG because of all the books I have to read I couldn’t take it. I think I’ll wait the French translation now as I have them all in this format. thanks for the review!
Does it take long for translation? Hope you get it soon!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
I love that Roni was a tomboy… there are a lot of us out there! She seems like a character I would like, that’s for sure 😉 Great review Lorna!
Naomi recently posted…Release Day Review ~ Meet Me in the Dark by J.A. Huss
Thank you! I thought she was pretty great 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
I Love how balanced the story sounds..hot and has depth.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Fading Out by Trisha Wolfe
Yes, extremely hot, but with a really good story 🙂
I like when one of the characters is a loner of sorts and they have to work to really let people in. Plus, pack dynamics! Yay.
Mary recently posted…Blog Tour and Review: Hard to Be Good by Laura Kaye
Yep, that was very true of this book for sure! I love all the pack dynamics as well 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright